No Bond family holiday table is complete without Grandma Meme’s Cherry Coke Jello Salad. This beloved southern recipe blends tart cherries, crushed pineapple, Coca‑Cola and cherry gelatin into a simple, nostalgic fruit salad that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any family gathering.
Table of contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Recipe tips
- More Bond family recipes
This recipe first appeared on the blog in March 2013 as a tribute to my Grandma Meme. Growing up across the street from my grandparents, I learned so much about the care and love that went into her cooking. Her Cherry Coke Jello Salad was a fixture at every holiday meal, and the tradition continues in our family today.
This is an old‑fashioned, Southern jello salad with a playful name. It does include sugar and soda, but it also has real fruit, so calling it a fruit salad keeps Meme’s logic intact. It’s an easy, make‑ahead side that brings a nostalgic pop of color and sweet tart flavor to a holiday spread.
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounce can red tart cherries (pitted in water) — these are typically found in the baking aisle. Do not use cherry pie filling, which contains added sugar and thickeners; use the canned cherries and juices as called for in the recipe.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 ounce box cherry gelatin (jello) powder
- 1 cup Coca‑Cola
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts can be stirred in with the pineapple if you like a bit of texture. My family usually omits the nuts, but Grandma’s original recipe included them.
Instructions
- Heat the cherries, sugar and water.
- Combine the canned cherries (including their liquid), sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium‑high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Dissolve the gelatin in the hot cherry mixture.
- Place the cherry gelatin powder in a large heatproof bowl or your serving dish.
- Pour the boiling cherry mixture over the gelatin and stir thoroughly until all the powder is fully dissolved. This is essential for the salad to set properly.
- Let the mixture cool on the counter for 15–20 minutes.
- Add the Coca‑Cola and pineapple, then refrigerate.
- Stir in the Coca‑Cola and the entire can of crushed pineapple (do not drain). If adding walnuts, stir them in now.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours, or until the gelatin is fully set.
Recipe tips
- Fully dissolve the gelatin powder. Make sure there are no granules remaining before refrigerating — undissolved gelatin will prevent the salad from setting.
- Allow enough time to set. Jello with fruit usually needs longer to firm up than plain gelatin. Plan on 6–8 hours in the refrigerator, or make it the day before.
- Do not freeze the salad to speed the set time. Freezing ruins the texture and will separate the ingredients.
- Use canned pineapple only. Fresh or frozen pineapple contains an enzyme (bromelain) that breaks down gelatin and stops it from setting. Canning deactivates that enzyme, so canned pineapple works fine.
- For a molded presentation, use a bundt pan or jello mold. Lightly spray the mold with cooking spray so the salad unmolds cleanly into a ring for a classic vintage look.
- Storage: Refrigerated leftovers will keep up to a week, though this usually disappears quickly at holiday meals.
More Bond family recipes
Here are a few other family favorites from our kitchen—classic, tried‑and‑true dishes passed down through the generations.
Dad’s Famous BBQ Baked Beans
Meme’s Famous Chocolate Pie
Dad’s Captain Crunch Chicken Tenders
Fresh Strawberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Red Sangria
Mom’s Homemade Cherry Pie
Meme’s Cherry Coke Jello Salad
A nostalgic southern side dish that combines tart cherries, crushed pineapple, Coca‑Cola and cherry gelatin for a colorful, make‑ahead fruit salad perfect for holidays.
Servings: 8 people
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 6 hours
Total Time: about 6 hours 25 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz can red tart cherries, pitted in water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 oz box cherry gelatin (jello)
- 1 cup Coca‑Cola
- 20 oz can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
- Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Add the cherries (with liquid), sugar and water to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium‑high heat.
- Place the cherry gelatin powder in a large bowl or serving dish. Pour the boiling cherry mixture over the gelatin and stir until completely dissolved.
- Let the gelatin mixture cool on the counter for 15–20 minutes.
- Stir in the Coca‑Cola and the entire can of crushed pineapple. If using walnuts, add them now.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours or until set. Serve chilled.
Notes
- The most important step is dissolving the gelatin completely in the hot liquid; otherwise the salad will not set.
- Do not use fresh or frozen pineapple; the enzymes will prevent the gelatin from setting. Use canned pineapple only.
- This salad can be made ahead and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Nutrition Facts (approx.)
Per serving (estimate): 287 kcal; Carbohydrates 72 g; Protein 3 g; Fat 1 g; Sugar 56 g. Values are approximate and will vary based on specific brands and portions.